🎙️ Am I the Toxic One? | Surviving Toxic Relationships with Lizzie & Deana

Are you the toxic one... and don’t even know it?
In this eye-opening episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, Lizzie and Deana turn the mirror inward to explore a question many avoid: Could we be contributing to the toxicity in our relationships?

Together, they unpack the subtle but critical differences between toxic behaviors and trauma responses, and how unresolved trauma might be driving harmful patterns. This isn’t about blame—it’s about self-awareness, accountability, and growth.

Through candid conversation and practical tools like journaling and self-assessment strategies, Lizzie and Deana guide you on how to:

• Recognize toxic traits in yourself and others
• Understand the root causes (like fear of abandonment)
• Take actionable steps toward healing
• Build support systems that uplift your journey
• Stop repeating toxic cycles—and start rewriting your story

Whether you’ve asked yourself “Am I the toxic one?” or just want to create healthier relationships, this episode is your roadmap to transformation.

🔍 Key Takeaways:

• Toxic behavior often stems from unhealed trauma
• Self-reflection is essential for personal growth
• Accountability is the first step toward lasting change
• Support systems and journaling can accelerate healing
• You can change—and the desire to do so is your greatest strength

👉 Hit play to reflect, reset, and rise above the toxicity—starting with you.

Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share if this episode resonates. Your journey matters, and we’re right here with you.

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @thematadoras
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras

In this powerful and compassionate episode, Lizzie and Deana dive deep into the emotional complexities of leaving toxic relationships. They explore the internal battles many face—fear, guilt, and trauma bonds—and how these emotions can make leaving feel even more difficult than staying.

Through real talk and heartfelt insights, they shed light on:

• Why the fear of the unknown often feels safer than taking the leap,
• How guilt and shame can sabotage healing,
• And most importantly, the critical role of community support in navigating this painful transition.

Whether you're considering leaving, in the process, or supporting someone who is—this episode offers a grounded, honest, and hopeful roadmap forward.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Leaving a toxic relationship brings both relief and fear—both are normal.
• Emotions are temporary; healing is possible.
• Supportive community is essential to break free and stay free.
• Trauma bonds can keep you attached even when you want out.
• Feelings of guilt and regret are common—but not facts.
• Staying rooted in truth is your greatest weapon.
• The fear of change can be deceivingly comfortable.
• Documenting your "why" can keep you strong during weak moments.
• It's okay to feel awkward and unsure in the beginning.
• Healing is not linear—be patient and kind to yourself.

❤️ Connect & Share

If this episode resonates with you or someone you love, please:

• 💬 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
• 🔁 Share this episode with a friend or support group
• 📲 Follow the show for more honest conversations and healing insights

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @thematadoras
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras

In this deeply moving episode, Avonley Lightstone, Author of "Strength of Scars", opens up about her powerful journey from unimaginable loss to unshakable faith. After losing her mother at 3 years old in a tragic fire and enduring years of emotional and physical abuse in her adoptive home, Avonley shares how finding God became a turning point in her path to healing.

Through candid conversation, she explores the importance of not internalizing trauma, the personal nature of forgiveness, and how denial can block true healing. Avonlea reminds us that our scars can become symbols of resilience—and that with faith, hope, and support, even the most painful stories can be transformed into sources of strength.

If you or someone you love has faced trauma, abuse, or grief, this episode offers a powerful message: healing is possible, and you are not alone.

Check out Avonley's book here! https://bit.ly/StrengthofScars

🌐 Site: avonleylightstone.com
TikTok: ‪@AvonleyLightstone‬
Instagram: @avonleylightstone
YouTube: ‪@AvonleyLightstone‬

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @thematadoras
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras

In this powerful episode, Hillary Powers, the voice of Sally in the Peanuts cartoons, shares her remarkable journey from childhood trauma and addiction to over 40 years of sobriety, healing, and faith. With raw honesty and deep insight, Hillary reflects on her chaotic upbringing, the path to recovery, and how faith, surrender, and community helped her reclaim her life. She dives into the importance of addressing childhood wounds, the role of empathy and forgiveness, and why we are not defined by our past. Whether you're in recovery or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers hope, wisdom, and inspiration for anyone seeking to heal and thrive.

👉 Topics covered: addiction recovery, childhood trauma, personal transformation, healing through faith, empowerment, and the power of community & faith.

Hilary is also a dynamic Life Coach! Check out Hilary's website here...

https://www.hilarypowers.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-momberger-powers-078a604/

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @thematadoras
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras

🧠 In this heartfelt episode, Lizzie and Deana sit down with Jacintha Field—family and child counselor, art therapist, and founder of Happy Souls Kids. Jacintha shares her inspiring personal journey from surviving domestic violence to empowering families through emotional healing.

🌱 Learn how she’s on a mission to help 100,000 children by 2027, and discover powerful tools to help your child navigate big feelings. From the emotional impact of separation to the healing power of play, Jacintha breaks down how parents can build safe, connected relationships with their children—no matter where you’re starting from.

🎨 Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or just someone who cares about emotional well-being, this episode is packed with insights, compassion, and hope.

✨ In This Episode, We Cover:

• How modeling emotions helps kids self-regulate
• Why play is a powerful healing tool
• The importance of safe spaces for emotional expression
• How to talk to children during or after separation
• Why compassion and forgiveness matter in parenting
• And why it's never too late to reconnect with your child

🎧 Tune in now and start the journey toward deeper emotional connection and healing.

🔖 Hashtags:

#ParentingPodcast #EmotionalIntelligence #ChildTherapy #HealingTrauma #PositiveParenting #KidsMentalHealth #ParentingTips #ArtTherapyForKids #EmotionalWellbeing #MindfulParenting #JacinthaField #HappySoulsKids #PodcastEpisode #ParentingAfterDivorce #ConsciousParenting

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @thematadoras
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Lizzie and Deana sit down with Julie Barth—trauma survivor, author, special needs mom, and passionate financial advocate for women—to share her extraordinary journey of survival, resilience, and transformation.

From losing her husband to cancer, to raising a special needs child on her own, to surviving a narcissistically abusive second marriage, Julie has faced unimaginable challenges. But instead of staying silent, she’s using her story to shine a light for other women navigating trauma, toxic relationships, and financial instability.

Julie opens up about the red flags she missed, the courage it took to walk away, and how she turned her pain into purpose through her nonprofit work. Her mission? To empower women with the financial tools and emotional support they need to rebuild their lives after crisis.

Whether you’ve experienced trauma, supported someone who has, or simply believe in the power of women helping women, this conversation is one you won’t forget.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Julie’s courageous story and learn how you can support women rising from the ashes of trauma.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Julie Barth is a survivor, author, and advocate helping women reclaim their lives after trauma.
• Her memoir reveals the raw realities of widowhood and raising a child with special needs.
• Recognizing red flags in toxic relationships is a critical step toward self-protection.
• Leaving an abusive partner, especially a narcissist, often requires both emotional and financial strength.
• Support networks are essential for healing and rebuilding after trauma.
• Peace—not just happiness—should be the goal after leaving a toxic relationship.
• Sharing lived experiences helps others feel seen, heard, and less alone.
• Financial independence is often the biggest barrier for women trying to escape abuse.
• Empowerment begins when women take back their stories and own their futures.
• Julie’s nonprofit connects women in crisis with practical, life-changing resources.

💬 "When I stopped chasing happiness and started seeking peace, everything changed." — Julie Barth

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @thematadoras
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Zoe dives into the often misunderstood world of complex shame—how it silently shapes our relationships, distorts our identity, and hinders our ability to experience healthy love.

Sharing her own transformative journey, Dr. Zoe reveals the hidden patterns of shame, including codependency, hiding behaviors, and fear of vulnerability, and offers practical guidance to start the process of healing.

This episode is a must-watch for anyone seeking to:

• Recognize complex shame and its hidden impact
• Understand the link between shame and codependency
• Develop self-awareness and emotional resilience
• Set boundaries without guilt
• Transform vulnerability into strength
• Differentiate between shame and guilt
• Cultivate healthy, loving relationships
• Empower yourself to live authentically and unapologetically

Whether you're on a journey of healing, seeking deeper relationships, or ready to confront hidden emotional patterns—this episode will leave you empowered to reclaim your story.

Check out Dr. Zoe’s book for more practical steps to untangle shame and find emotional freedom. https://a.co/d/5TP32fi

If you're ready to break free from shame and unlock emotional freedom, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe. Share this episode with someone navigating healing, trauma recovery, or relationship challenges. Let us know in the comments: What did you learn about your own relationship with shame?--

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @thematadoras
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras

What happens when the person you vowed to spend your life with turns out to be living a double life — not in secret affairs, but in hidden abuse?

In this eye-opening episode of Surviving Toxic Relationships, we’re joined by Mia Hanks — a brave survivor who spent 29 years married to a covert narcissist. Behind closed doors, Mia endured years of emotional manipulation and financial control, slowly losing her sense of identity, security, and voice. But today, she’s no longer surviving — she’s thriving.

Mia takes us through her powerful journey of recognizing the red flags, reclaiming her independence, and transforming her pain into purpose through her memoir "Bride Maid."

Get your copy here! https://www.amazon.com/Bride-Made-Memoir-Mia-J-Hanks/dp/B0CVC322MF

If you’ve ever questioned the subtle signs of narcissistic abuse or wondered how to support someone trapped in a toxic relationship, this conversation is a must-listen. Get ready for a raw, honest, and empowering discussion that could change the way you see emotional abuse — and maybe even help you or someone you love break free.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The subtle but dangerous emotional red flags of narcissistic abuse
• Why financial independence is a lifeline for survivors
• How Mia reclaimed her voice—and how you can too
• The healing power of storytelling and purpose
• How to recognize covert narcissism in your own life or help others who may be trapped

💬 Whether you're in a toxic relationship, recovering from one, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is a must-listen.

🎙️ Stay Connected with Us!
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: @survivingrelationships12
🎵 Follow us on TikTok: @thematadoras
🌐 Visit our website: survivingtoxicrelationships.org

📘 Join our Facebook community: Surviving Toxic Relationships with The Matadoras